Lake Nona QB Kevin Sousa drops Michigan, commits to Wake Forest

Orlando Lake Nona quarterback Kevin Sousa has had a lot of thoughts going through his mind since the Lions' season ended three weeks ago. The senior had committed to the University of Michigan on June 30 and was glad to have the process completed before the season had begun.

But as the season progressed, so did he, and Sousa and Lake Nona assistant coach Anthony Paradiso started to entertain other options that might give the 6-foot-2, 213-pounder a better chance at getting on the field at the next level. They think they found that on Sunday, as Sousa decommitted Michigan and is now pledged to Wake Forest.

"Just being around Coach Grobe (head coach Jim) and Coach Elrod (quarterbacks coach Tom), I felt very comfortable," Sousa said. "Also there is a better chance of starting early and academics is a big part of it, as well."

Speculation will immediately begin about whether the future of head coach Rich Rodriguez had an effect on Sousa's decision. Wolverines sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson will be the Michigan QB for two more years, and there are three more QBs on the roster -- two other sophomores and a freshman, -- but Sousa shot down the notion that the roster had anything to do with his decommit.

"No not at all. Neither one of those was the case." Sousa. "Michigan is a great school, a dream school for most kids, but I just have to look at what's the best fit for me and Wake Forest is the best fit for me."

The coaching staff was pivotal in Sousa's decision to flip. Elrod was at two of Sousa's games this year and attended three practices, and he immediately took to Grove during his visit this past weekend.

"I feel like I'm 100 percent sure," Sousa said. "While I was on my visit, I got to meet Coach Grobe. He is a real classy guy and I enjoyed being around him."

Football season is over at Wake this year, but Sousa was able to sit in on a Wake basketball game against Holy Cross to get a taste of some ACC atmosphere.

"That was another reason, being able to play int he ACC and that great competition," Sousa said. "And it's a lot closer than Michigan; cheaper flights."

His parents could also realistically drive to Winston-Salem, N.C., which is about an 8- or 9-hour trip by car.

"They're real excited," Sousa said of his parents. "They''re real supportive of what I decide and they're comfortable with my decision.

And, of course, he had to break the news to Michigan, never an easy task for a decommitting athlete.

"I spoke to coach Smith (Quarterbacks coach Rod) and I told him I committed to Wake earlier today," Sousa said. "He just said best of luck and if anything changes to call him."

Sousa, who had offers from more than 20 NCAA Division I-A schools, has been invited to three all-star games, but he said his season is done for this year. He will complete his full senior year before enrolling at Wake next summer.

The Demon Deacons also have QBs in front of Sousa when he arrives. Six quarterbacks dot the roster, 2 redshirt sophomores, a redshirt junior, a redshirt freshman and two true freshmen. Freshman Tanner Price heads into spring as the No. 1 QB, while redshirt junior Skylar Jones is No. 1.